The beginning of autumn marks the opportunity for AmCham member companies to offer volunteering activities to their employees. The AmCham Foundation’s regular initiative, A Day to Make it Happen is a steady staple for those who wish to participate in a meaningful, well-organized volunteering activity.
On October 1st, over 100 volunteers participated in three different venues to make the everyday environments of children nicer and safer. Employees from various companies, like KPMG, Xerox, Tata Consultancy, Lexmark and NCR Hungary helped renovate the playground and the fence that children with multiple disabilities learning at the school operated by the Bliss Foundation use everyday.
Together with students from BME High School (who collected valuable hours in social work, required for graduation), employees of AmCham member companies (AmCham Office, Lexmark, Tata Consultancy, Urmet Kft.) cleaned the gardens of the Bólyai Children’s Homes, created a treading barefoot trails and assembled pallet furniture.
Finally, a team of about dozen volunteers worked in the School for the Blind, painting a ceramic workshop (Tata Consultancy, HIPA). Erzsébet Móga, President of the Kézzelfogható Alapítvány commended about the volunteering day: “We have a great relationship with the AmCham Foundation, ever since we started working with them. They are fast and professional, it is a delight working with them.” While the team waited for the paint to dry, Ms Móga showed the volunteers how the ceramics were made, who got so excited about the various benefits of pottery that two companies volunteered to co-organize team building events with the School for the Blind. “We will work out the curriculum of these projects in January, and we can launch the project during the spring” explained Ms Móga.
The AmCham Foundation’s Day to Make it Happen provides an excellent example of the benefits of a wide-scale cooperation, and a fulfilling day for everyone involved. “I decided to participate in this volunteering activity, because it make me feel that my work is meaningful and useful” commented one KPMG employee. “It is great to be here, because we can work with our friends for a good cause” explained one of the student helpers. “We had a lot of fun today” mentioned one of the children livng in the Children’s Home. “We helped the volunteers and played football with them – and had some pancakes too!” – by Anikó Kraft
